Identification and health risk evaluation of soil contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at shale gas extraction sites based on positive matrix factorization.

The impact of shale gas extraction on surrounding environmental media remains unclear. In this study, the current state of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are high-frequency contaminants of shale gas, was investigated in the soil surrounding emerging shale gas development sites. The source analysis of PAHs was conducted in the soils of shale gas extraction sites using positive matrix factorization (PMF). The health risk assessment (HRA) was calculated for ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation exposures, and the priority sources of PAHs in the soil were jointly identified by PMF and HRA to refine the contribution level of different individual PAHs to the carcinogenic risk. The results showed that both Sichuan and Chongqing mining site soils were contaminated to different degrees. Shale gas extraction has an impact on the surrounding soil, and the highest contributing source of PAHs in the mining site soil of Sichuan was anthropogenic activity, accounting for 31.6%, whereas that in the mining site soil of Chongqing was biomass combustion and mixed automobile combustion, accounting for 35.9%. At the two mining sites in Sichuan and Chongqing, none of the three exposure pathways (ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation) posed a carcinogenic risk to children, whereas the dermal exposure pathway posed a carcinogenic risk to adults. Health risk assessments based on specific source assignments indicate that when managing soil pollution, the control of fossil fuel combustion and vehicular emissions should be prioritized.

Probabilistic human health risk assessment of PCDD/Fs near municipal solid-waste incinerator using Monte Carlo analysis coupled with triangular fuzzy numbers.

PCDD/Fs are dioxins produced by waste incineration and pose risks to human health. We aimed to detail the health risks of airborne and soil PCDD/Fs near a municipal solid-waste incinerator (MSWI) for the surrounding population and develop a new model that improves upon existing methods. Thus, we conducted field sampling and then investigated a MSWI in the Pearl River Delta (2016-2018). Our results showed that the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk values of PCDD/Fs exposed to residents in nearby areas were acceptable, with hazard index (HI) values lower than 1.0 and a total carcinogenic risk lower than 1.0E-6. Notably, the results raised concerns regarding higher non-carcinogenic risks in children than in adults. Comparative analysis of the frequency accumulation diagram, accumulated probability risk, and the absolute value of error (δ) between the 95% confidence interval (CI) and the 90% CI of the Monte Carlo stochastic simulation-triangular fuzzy number (MCSS-TFN) and the MCSS model, respectively, demonstrated that the MCSS-TFN exhibited less uncertainty than the MCSS model, regardless of the health risk value of PCDD/Fs in ambient air or in soil. This observation underscores the superiority of the MCSS-TFN model over other models in assessing the health risks associated with PCDD/Fs in situations with limited data. Our new method overcomes the limited dataset size and high uncertainty in assessing the health risks of dioxin substances, providing a more comprehensive understanding of their associated health risks than MCSS models.

[Effects of Long-term Tillage on Soil Bacterial Community Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Dryland Wheat Fields in Northern China].

To explore the effects of long-term tillage on bacterial community structure in different soil layers of dryland wheat fields and its relationship with soil physicochemical properties, a long-term field experiment was conducted from 2016 to 2021 in Wenxi Experimental Demonstration Base of Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Province. We studied the effects of no-tillage (NT), subsoiling-tillage (ST), and deep plowing (DP) on soil physicochemical properties; α and ß diversity of the bacterial community; and dominant and different species of phyla and genera in different soil layers. Additionally, PICRUSt2 was used to predict the metabolic function of soil bacterial community. The results revealed that subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the soil water content in the 20-40 cm soil layer and significantly decreased the soil organic carbon content in the 0-20 cm soil layer compared with that under no-tillage for five consecutive years. Compared with that under deep plowing, subsoiling-tillage significantly increased soil water content, soil organic carbon content, dissolved organic carbon content, and dissolved organic nitrogen content in the 0-20 cm soil layer. Compared with that under no-tillage, subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing increased the α diversity of the soil bacterial community in the 0-40 cm soil layer, and subsoiling-tillage was higher than deep plowing. Compared with that under no-tillage, subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the relative abundances of Acidobacteria and Nitrospirae in the 0-20 cm soil layer and Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Rokubacteria, GAL15, and Nitrospirae in the 20-40 cm soil layer. Compared with that under no-tillage, subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the relative abundance of Nitrospira in the 0-20 cm soil layer and Rubrobacter and Streptomyces in the 20-40 cm soil layer. Compared with that under deep plowing, subsoiling-tillage significantly increased the relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes in the 0-40 cm soil layer. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that the contents of soil organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and dissolved organic nitrogen in the 0-20 cm soil layer exerted positive effects on Actinobacteria and Blastococcus, and the soil water content in the 0-40 cm soil layer exerted positive effects on Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Gemmatimonadetes under subsoiling-tillage. The results of PICRUSt2 prediction showed that subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the relative abundance of amino acid metabolism and the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins but decreased the relative abundance of lipid metabolism of bacterial communities in the 20-40 cm soil layer compared with that under no-tillage. Compared with that under deep plowing, subsoiling-tillage significantly increased the relative abundances of amino acid metabolism in the 0-40 cm soil layer and other amino acid metabolism in the 0-20 cm soil layer. In conclusion, subsoiling-tillage or deep plowing could increase the soil water content, α diversity of the soil bacterial community, and their metabolic capacity in the dryland wheat fields during the summer fallow period. The relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes and the ability of amino acid metabolism of the bacterial community were increased by subsoiling-tillage, and thus the contents of soil dissolved organic carbon and dissolved nitrogen can be increased.

Effects of sowing patterns on nitrogen utilization and yield formation of winter wheat in the western Huang-Huai-Hai region.

To examine the differences of three improved sowing methods in winter wheat yield and nitrogen efficiency and reveal the characteristics responsible for such differences, we conducted field experiments in the Jinnan area of the western Huang-Huai-Hai wheat region for three consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2019. The three improved sowing methods were wide space sowing (WSS), furrow sowing in moisture soil (FS), and three-dimensional uniform sowing (TDUS), with conventional drilling sowing (CDS) as the control. The results showed that meteorological factors such as accumulated temperature, solar radiation, and precipitation in the growing seasons from 2016 to 2019 showed great intra- and inter-annual variations. Compared with CDS, the improved sowing methods (WSS, FS, and TDUS) enhanced spike number per unit area and increased grain yield in three growing seasons by 18.3%-55.5%, 8.6%-22.2%, and 10.9%-39.5%, respectively. The three methods increased nitrogen uptake efficiency (NEup) by 5.8%-57.1%, pre-flowering nitrogen transfer ratio (Np/Nt) by 3.0%-15.3%, and nitrogen efficiency by 7.9%-35.7%, respectively. We developed a structural equation model (SEM) by integrating meteorological factors and experimental variables. The results showed that the three improved sowing methods could reduce the effects of extreme low temperature on wheat plant population, increase NEup and Np/Nt, and provide sufficient nitrogen supply to the grains of high-spike number wheat population for high yield and high nitrogen efficiency. In summary, our results demonstrated that WSS, FS, and TDUS all improved NEup and Np/Nt in the 2016-2017 season when meteorological conditions were favorable for wheat growth, and enhanced yield components with high SN, leading to high yield and high nitrogen efficiency. In contrast, in both 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons with extremely low temperature and uneven distribution of meteorological conditions, WSS had a higher number of tillers at the jointing stage and enhanced pre-flowering nitrogen uptake and translocation, whereas TDUS had a relatively stable nitrogen uptake rate, leading to a stable grain yield.

CCNB1 is a novel prognostic biomarker and promotes proliferation, migration and invasion in Wilms tumor.

BACKGROUND: Wilms tumour (WT) is a mixed type of embryonal tumour that usually occurs in early childhood. However, our knowledge of the pathogenesis or progression mechanism of WT is inadequate, and there is a scarcity of beneficial therapeutic strategies. METHODS: High-throughput RNA sequencing was employed in this study to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in clinical tumor samples and matching normal tissues. The STRING database was utilized to build a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and the Cytohubba method was used to identify the top 10 highly related HUB genes. Then, the key genes were further screened by univariate COX survival analysis. Subsequently, the XCELL algorithm was used to evaluate the tumour immune infiltration. RT-PCR, WB, and IF were used to verify the expression level of key genes in clinical tissues and tumour cell lines. Finally, the function of the key gene was further verified by loss-of-function experiments. RESULTS: We initially screened 1612 DEGs, of which 1030 were up-regulated and 582 were down-regulated. The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis suggested these genes were associated with 'cell cycle', 'DNA replication'. Subsequently, we identified 10 key HUB genes, among them CCNB1 was strongly related to WT patients' overall survival. Multiple survival analyses showed that CCNB1 was an independent indicator of WT prognosis. Thus, we constructed a nomogram of CCNB1 combined with other clinical indicators. Single gene GSEA and immune infiltration analysis revealed that CCNB1 was associated with the degree of infiltration or activation status of multiple immune cells. TIDE analysis indicated that this gene was correlated with multiple key immune checkpoint molecules and TIDE scores. Finally, we validated the differential expression level of CCNB1 in an external gene set, the pan-cancer, clinical samples, and cell lines. CCNB1 silencing significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasive capabilities of WIT-49 cells, also, promoted apoptosis, and in turn induced G2 phase cell cycle arrest in loss-of-function assays. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that CCNB1 is closely related to WT progression and prognosis, and serves as a potential target.

Nomogram for predicting non-proliferative vitreoretinopathy probability after vitrectomy in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

AIM: To identify the risk factors for postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and develop a nomogram for predicting postoperative PVR-free probability. METHODS: A total of 741 patients (741 eyes) diagnosed with primary RRD who underwent first surgery in the same hospital were retrospectively reviewed and randomly assigned with 521 to the training set and 220 to the validation set. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in the training cohort to determine risk factors to construct a nomogram for predicting the 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-month postoperative PVR-free probabilities. Nomogram performance was estimated by the concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, and the area receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: A nomogram was constructed based on the preoperative PVR, silicone oil tamponade time (SOTT), photocoagulation energy (PE), retinal tear size (RTS), and hypertension. In the training set, the C-index of the nomogram was 0.896, 0.936, 0.961, and 0.972 at 3, 4, 5, and 6mo, respectively. The C-index values in the validation set were 0.860, 0.936, 0.951, and 0.965 at 3, 4, 5, and 6mo, respectively. Decision-curve analysis indicated that only the 4-, 5-, and 6-month nomograms had significant net benefits over a large threshold probabilities interval. CONCLUSION: Preoperative PVR, SOTT, PE, RTS, and hypertension are significant risk factors for postoperative PVR formation in patients with primary RRD. The proposed nomogram can effectively predict the 4-, 5-, and 6-month PVR-free probabilities after surgery and assist in making clinical decisions during follow-up.

KIAA1429 regulates alternative splicing events of cancer-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most fatal malignancies with high morbidity and mortality rates in the world, whose molecular pathogenesis is incompletely understood. As an RNA-binding protein participating in the processing and modification of RNA, KIAA1429 has been proved to be implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple cancers. However, how KIAA1429 functions in alternative splicing is not fully reported. In the current study, multi-omics sequencing data were used to analyze and decipher the molecular functions and the underlying mechanisms of KIAA1429 in HCC samples. RNA sequencing data (RNA-seq) analysis demonstrated that in HCCLM3 cells, alternative splicing (AS) profiles were mediated by KIAA1429. Regulated AS genes (RASGs) by KIAA1429 were enriched in cell cycle and apoptosis-associated pathways. Furthermore, by integrating the RNA immunoprecipitation and sequencing data (RIP-seq) of KIAA1429, we found that KIAA1429-bound transcripts were highly overlapping with RASGs, indicating that KIAA1429 could globally regulate the alternative splicing perhaps by binding to their transcripts in HCCLM3 cells. The overlapping RASGs were also clustered in cell cycle and apoptosis-associated pathways. In particular, we validated the regulated AS events of three genes using clinical specimens from HCC patients, including the exon 6 of BPTF gene and a marker gene of HCC. In summary, our results shed light on the regulatory functions of KIAA1429 in the splicing process of pre-mRNA and provide theoretical basis for the targeted therapy of HCC.

Progress on genomics and locus of important agronomic traits in Chenopodium quinoa.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Willd.) as a new health food in the 20th century, its comprehensive nutritional composition, stress resistance and other characteristics have been paid much of attention, and enjoys the reputation of "nutritional gold", "vegetarian king" and "food in the future" in the world. In recent years, with the rapid development of genomics and high-throughput sequencing technology, the high-quality whole genome sequence of quinoa has been completed, and the omics analysis and functional research of a series of key genes have been gradually carried out. In this review, we summarize the research progress in quinoa genomics, gene family analysis of important transcription factors, genetic map construction, QTL mapping of important traits, and genes for important agronomic and yield traits. Moreover, according to the current status of quinoa breeding, this paper also put forward five key problems in quinoa breeding, and pointed out four important directions of genetic improvement and breeding of quinoa in the future, so as to provide reference for the realization of directional genetic improvement of quinoa in the future.

Dynorphin promotes stress-induced depressive behaviors by inhibiting ventral pallidal neurons in rats.

AIM: Endogenous dynorphin signaling via kappa opioid receptors (KORs) plays a key role in producing the depressive and aversive consequences of stress. We investigated the behavioral effects of the dynorphin/KOR system in the ventral pallidum (VP) and studied the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: To investigate the effects of dynorphin on the VP, we conducted behavioral experiments after microinjection of drugs or shRNA and brain-slice electrophysiological recordings. Histological tracing and molecular biological experiments were used to identify the distribution of KORs and the possible sources of dynorphin projections to the VP. RESULTS: An elevated dynorphin concentration and increased KOR activity were observed in the VP after acute stress. Infusion of dynorphin-A into the VP produced depressive-like phenotypes including anhedonia and despair and anxiety behaviors, but did not alter locomotor behavior. Mechanistically, dynorphin had an inhibitory effect on VP neurons-reducing their firing rate and inhibiting excitatory transmission-through direct activation of KORs and modulation of downstream G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels and high-voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs). Tracing revealed direct innervation of VP neurons by dynorphin-positive projections; potential sources of these dynorphinergic projections include the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Blockade of dynorphin/KOR signaling in the VP by drugs or viral knock-down of KORs significantly reduced despair behavior in rats. CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous dynorphinergic modulation of the VP plays a critical role in mediating depressive reactions to stress.

Vacuum Based Gas Sensing Material Characterization System for Precise and Simultaneous Measurement of Optical and Electrical Responses.

Gas sensing performance characterization systems are essential for the research and development of gas sensing materials and devices. Although existing systems are almost completely automatically operated, the accuracies of gas concentration control and of pressure control and the ability to simultaneously detect different sensor signals still require improvement. In this study, a high-precision gas sensing material characterization system is developed based on vacuum technology, with the objective of enabling the precise and simultaneous measurement of electrical responses. Because of the implementation of vacuum technology, the gas concentration control accuracy is improved more than 1600 times, whereas the pressure of the test ambient condition can be precisely adjusted between vacuum and 1.2 bar. The vacuum-assisted gas-exchanging mechanism also enables the sensor response time to be determined more accurately. The system is capable of performing sensitivity, selectivity, and stability tests and can control the ambient relative humidity in a precise manner. More importantly, the levels of performance of three different optical signal measurement set-ups were investigated and compared in terms of detection range, linearity, noise, and response time, based on which of their scopes of application were proposed. Finally, single-period and cyclical tests were performed to examine the ability of the system to detect optical and electrical responses simultaneously, both at a single wavelength and in a spectral region.

Outcomes of a novel bubble ultra-wide field viewing system for vitreoretinal surgery.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcomes and evaluate the efficacy of a novel bubble ultra-wide field viewing system for vitreoretinal surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and fifty-one eyes of 146 consecutive patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), vitreous haemorrhage originating from retinal vein occlusion (VH-RVO), epiretinal membrane (EM), macular hole (MH) or retinal detachment (RD) who underwent vitreoretinal surgery using the bubble ultra-wide field viewing system were included. METHODS: A standard phacoemulsification was performed on each patient. Core humour and mid-peripheral vitreous humour were removed using a planoconcave lens. A suitably sized bubble was infused to attach to the posterior capsule or the anterior chamber depending on the integrity of the posterior capsule. The planoconcave lens and the air bubble formed the wide-angle viewing system, through which peripheral vitrectomy was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Range of applications, field of view, model validation and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The new ultra-wide field viewing system was successfully applied in all eyes, including 34 with PDR, 28 VH-RVO, 28 EM, 25 MH and 36 RD. Peripheral vitrectomy, local or panretinal laser photocoagulation, and removal of the peripheral proliferative membrane were successfully performed while viewing through this system. Maximum peripheral retinal area observable during the procedure was positively correlated with pupil diameter. Model analysis results showed that when the pupil diameter was 6 mm, the maximum field of view was approximately 128.1- 148.0 degrees with this system. Of 142 eyes, the main intraoperative complication was iatrogenic retinal breaks (IRBs) in 8 eyes (5.3%) and posterior capsule injury by vitreous cutter during bubble removal in 6 eyes (4.2%). The postsurgery mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (0.48 ± 0.39 logMAR) was significantly improved compared with the preoperative mean BCVA (1.60 ± 1.08 logMAR, p < 0.001). No incidents of postoperative choroidal detachment, secondary glaucoma or endophthalmitis were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with lens excision or absence, vitreoretinal surgery can be successfully performed using the novel viewing system described here. The system is a safe, convenient and economical ultra-wide field viewing system with a wide range of applications.

Effects of sowing modes on soil water dynamics and grain protein formation in dryland wheat.

In order to clarify the mechanisms underlying dryland wheat quality improvement through sowing technology, the effects of wide space sowing (WSS), furrow sowing (FS), and drill sowing (DS) on soil moisture dynamics and grain protein formation in dryland wheat field were studied in Wenxi, Shanxi Province in 2017-2018 (normal year) and 2018-2019 (dry year). The results showed that compared with the DS, FS significantly increased soil water storage in the 0-200 cm depth at anthesis stage (8.2%-18.7%), and increased the soil water storage in 0-60 cm layer during the two years, 60-120 cm layer in normal year, and 120-200 cm layer in dry year. WSS significantly increased soil water storage in 0-200 cm layer at anthesis stage in normal year (5.2%). Compared with DS, FS significantly increased water consumption of anthesis to mature stage, while WSS significantly increased water consumption from sowing to anthesis stage in dry year. Compared with DS, the glutamine synthetase (GS) activity of grains at 15-35 days after anthesis was significantly increased by FS and WSS, while the glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity of flag leaves and grains at 5-35 days after anthesis was significantly increased by FS in the dry year. Compared with DS, FS significantly increased grain yield by 20.4%-44.8%, grain protein yield by 25%-49%, and increased grain albumin and globulin contents. WSS significantly increased grain yield by 9%-40%, and increased grain gliadin content. Under different sowing modes of dryland wheat, GS and GOGAT activities in flag leaves and grains after anthesis were significantly correlated with water consumption at anthesis to maturity stage. There were significant correlations between GS and GOGAT activities in flag leaves and grains and 0-120 cm soil layers in the normal water year, and between GS and GOGAT activities and 0-60 cm, 120-200 cm soil layers in the dry year. The contents of grain albumin, globulin and total protein were significantly correlated with soil water storage in 0-60 cm layer at anthesis stage, as well as soil water storage in 120-200 cm layer at anthesis stage in the dry year. In conclusion, FS was beneficial to increasing soil water storage at anthesis and water consumption after anthesis of dryland wheat, improving GS and GOGAT activities of flag leaf and grain, with positive consequences on yield and grain protein content. In addition, deep water storage was more conducive to quality improvement in the late growth period in the dry year.

[Effects of elevated CO2 concentration on photosynthetic acclimation of winter wheat under drought condition]. / 大气CO2æµ“åº¦å‡é«˜å¯¹å¹²æ—±æ¡ä»¶ä¸‹å†¬å°éº¦å¶ç‰‡å ‰åˆé€‚åº”çš„å½±å“.

Mechanisms underlying leaf photosynthetic acclimation in winter wheat under elevation of CO2 concentration ([CO2]) remain unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of source-sink variation on photosynthetic acclimation induced by drought under elevated [CO2]. A winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. 'Zhengmai 9023') pot experiment was conducted in open top climate chambers with [CO2] of 400µmol·mol-1 or 600 µmol·mol-1 and soil water content at 80%±5% or 55%±5% of field capacity. The parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence, electron transport rate, photosynthetic curve, leaf nitrogen content, and grain yield were measured at the elongation and heading stages. Under drought condition, leaf PSⅡ photochemical efficiency was not affected by elevated [CO2], but the maximum electron transport rate and the ratio of electron partitioned to carboxylation reaction in Calvin cycle was increased at the elongation stage, and thus the Rubisco carboxylation rate and maximum photosynthetic rate were increased. Although the maximum electron transportation rate and partitioning ratio of electron to carboxylation reaction in Calvin cycle remained high at the heading stage, the PSⅡ photochemical efficiency, Rubisco carboxylation rate, and triose phosphate utilization rate were decreased by elevated [CO2], which consequently reduced the maximum photosynthetic rate for plant under drought stress. Under drought condition, elevated [CO2] increased wheat tiller biomass, kernel number, and kernel weight per ear, but decreased infertile kernel number, resulting in an overall increase in grain weight. In conclusion, the elevated [CO2]-induced increase in wheat grain yield per tiller under drought condition was mainly caused by enhanced photosynthetic performance at the elongation stage. The photosynthetic acclimation in source leaves during the heading stage under elevated [CO2] was mainly attributed to the reduction in PSⅡ photochemical efficiency and triose phosphate utilization rate, but not to the maximum electron transportation rate, ratio of electron partitioned to carboxylation in Calvin cycle or sink leaf strength.

[Effects of deep ploughing during the fallow period and soil moisture-based furrow sowing on water and nitrogen utilization of dryland wheat.] / 休闲期深翻和探墒沟播对旱地小麦水氮资源利用的影响.

To understand the effects of deep ploughing during the fallow period and soil moisture-based furrow sowing on the utilization of water and nitrogen in dryland wheat, a field experiment following split-plot design was carried out from 2016 to 2018 in Wenxi County of Shanxi Province, with deep ploughing during the fallow period and no-tillage as main plots and soil moisture-based furrow sowing and drilling sowing as sub-plots. The results showed that, compared with no-tillage treatment, deep ploughing during the fallow period significantly increased soil water storage efficiency (by 38.3%-42.2%), soil water consumption (by 9.2%-13.2%), and nitrogen accumulation in each growth period, which in turn increased the yield by 7.1%-12.0%, annual water use efficiency by 5.5%-14.0%, nitrogen fertilizer absorption efficiency by 4.4%-10.3%, and nitrogen fertilizer partial productivity by 7.1%-12.0%. Compared with the treatment of drilling sowing, the soil moisture-based furrow sowing increased the total water consumption during the growth period (by 2.0%-4.8%) and nitrogen accumulation in each growth period, increased the yield by 6.8%-12.4%, water use efficiency during the growth period by 4.5%-7.2%, nitrogen absorption efficiency by 4.4%-10.3%, nitrogen partial productivity by 6.9%-12.4%. In conclusion, deep ploughing during the fallow period and soil moisture-based furrow sowing in dryland wheat could promote the storage and utilization of natural precipitation, increase plant nitrogen accumulation, and facilitate high wheat yield.

The Role of the Kappa Opioid System in Comorbid Pain and Psychiatric Disorders: Function and Implications.

Both pain and psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, significantly impact quality of life for the sufferer. The two also share a strong pathological link: chronic pain-induced negative affect drives vulnerability to psychiatric disorders, while patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders tend to experience exacerbated pain. However, the mechanisms responsible for the comorbidity of pain and psychiatric disorders remain unclear. It is well established that the kappa opioid system contributes to depressive and dysphoric states. Emerging studies of chronic pain have revealed the role and mechanisms of the kappa opioid system in pain processing and, in particular, in the associated pathological alteration of affection. Here, we discuss the key findings and summarize compounds acting on the kappa opioid system that are potential candidates for therapeutic strategies against comorbid pain and psychiatric disorders.

Effects of phosphorus fertilizer on root characteristics, uptake and utilization of phosphorus and yield of dryland wheat with contrasting yearly rainfall pattern.

To understand the growth responses of dryland wheat to different application rates of phosphorus fertilizer in different rainfall years, we examined root characteristics, spike number, yield and phosphate utilization. Results would help improve phosphate fertilizer use in dryland wheat production. We carried out a field experiment at the research station of Shanxi Agricultural University from 2012 to 2016. We examined the effects of four application rates of phosphorus (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg·hm-2 on root growth, phosphate utilization and yield formation of dryland wheat in different years with contrasting rainfall pattern. Compared with the treatment without phosphorus fertilization, phosphate application increased root surface area at all growth stages and root weight density in the 0-80 cm soil layer at jointing, anthesis, and maturity stages. Phosphate application significantly increased soil water consumption from jointing to anthesis, and total soil water consumption in the growing season. Phosphate application enhanced the amount of pre-anthesis phosphate translocation and phosphate accumulation of grain. Spike number, yield and water use efficiency were increased with 75, 150 and 225 kg P·hm-2 by 9.2% to 22.5%, 11.8% to 30.0%, and 2.1% to 12.1%, respectively. In the dry years, the application rates of 150 and 225 kg P·hm-2 in comparison to 75 kg P·hm-2 significantly increased root weight density and root surface area at all stages, soil water consumption from sowing to jointing and from jointing to anthesis, and total water consumption in the growing season. In comparison to the rate of 75 kg P·hm-2, 150 and 225 kg P·hm-2 increased soil water consumption from sowing to jointing by 7.3-8.7 mm, soil water consumption from jointing to anthesis by 15.6-18.1 mm, and total water consumption by 15.6-18.1 mm. Significant increase in the pre-anthesis phosphate translocation and phosphate accumulation in grain was higher under 150 and 225 kg P·hm-2 than that under 75 kg P·hm-2 in dry years. Furthermore, the two rates (150 and 225 kg P·hm-2) in dry years increased spike number by 9.3%-10.7% and yield by 11.9%-14.6%. The application rate of 150 kg P·hm-2 significantly improved phosphorus use efficiency by 20%-82% in comparison to other rates. In normal years, the rates of 150 and 225 kg P·hm-2 increased root surface area, root weight density at both anthesis and maturity compared with 75 kg P·hm-2. Soil water consumption from anthesis to maturity and total soil water consumption in the growing season were also increased by 1.2-15.0 and 3.8-23.1 mm, respectively. In addition, phosphorus accumulation in post-anthesis and phosphate accumulation in grain were increased in both 150 and 225 kg P·hm-2, which increased spike number by 1.4%-9.6% and yield by 3.5%-10.4%. The effects of phosphate application at the rate of 150 kg P·hm-2 were significantly different from 75 and 225 kg P·hm-2. In conclusion, phosphorus fertilizer application enhanced uptake of water and phosphate in dryland wheat at early and middle growth stages in dry years and at the late growth stage in normal years. Phosphorus application increased wheat yield mainly due to the increases of spike number. The application of 150 kg P·hm-2 is the best choice for high water and phosphorus fertilizer use efficiency and high yield in both dry and normal years.

Validation and Precision of Mixed Reality Technology in Baha Attract Implant Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility of image-guided Baha Attract implant surgery with mixed reality (MR) in the form of the HoloLens to visualize critical structures and facilitate precise Baha implant placement. METHODS: A cadaveric case study of bilateral Baha Attract implant approaches was conducted using Star Atlas MR three-dimensional (3D) medical interaction system guidance at the Otolaryngology Department of PUMCH, Beijing, China. The accuracy of visual surface registration was determined by the target registration error (TRE) between the predefined points on the preoperative 3D holographic Baha Attract implant model and the postoperatively reconstructed 3D model. RESULTS: Bilateral Baha Attract implantation was completed successfully for all four cadaveric heads using the Star Atlas MR 3D medical interaction system with the HoloLens. The preoperative 3D digital model characteristics (including bone quality and thickness and avoidance of cranial vessels, air cells, and cranial sutures) corresponded well with the 3D model of the actual implantation reconstructed postoperatively. The median TRE of our system was 2.97 mm (ranging from 1.98 to 4.58 mm) in terms of distance and 2.76 degrees (ranging from 0.59 to 6.4 degrees) in terms of angle. CONCLUSIONS: Applying MR technology in the form of the HoloLens in Baha Attract implant surgery is feasible and could improve the accuracy of the surgery. The described MR system for Baha Attract implantation has the potential to improve the surgeon's confidence, as well as the surgical safety, efficiency, and precision.

Pyoderma gangrenosum confused with congenital preauricular fistula infection: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pyoderma gangrenosum resulting from or associated with congenital preauricular fistula is rarely reported. CASE SUMMARY: We report a rare case of pyoderma gangrenosum misdiagnosed as preauricular fistula infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe pyoderma gangrenosum originating from the site of preauricular fistula. The lesion continued expanding even after combined treatment of systemic antibiotics and thorough debridement. Taking into account the possibility of pyoderma gangrenosum, we applied soft care with normal saline and Vaseline gauze dressing. Systemic corticosteroids were not used until intestinal Clostridium difficile was controlled. No local recurrence was noted at the 12-mo follow-up. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the necessity of considering rare diseases, such as pyoderma gangrenosum, when the preauricular sinus deteriorates with general management. The treatment strategy is mutually conflicting between pyoderma gangrenosum and infection of the preauricular sinus.

Prognostic values of immune scores and immune microenvironment-related genes for hepatocellular carcinoma.

It is crucial to grasp the characteristics of tumour immune microenvironment to improve effects of immunotherapy. In this study, the immune and stromal scores of 371 cases were calculated for quantitative analysis of immune and stromal cell infiltration in the tumour microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The weighted gene co-expression network analysis and protein-protein interaction network were analysed to identify immune microenvironment-related genes. The results showed that patients with high immune scores had a higher 4-year recurrence-free rate. TP53, CTNNB1, and AXIN1 mutations significantly varied with immune scores. In immune score-related modules analysis, Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes pathways and gene ontology terms were closely related to immune processes, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Twelve new immune microenvironment-related genes were identified and had significantly positive correlations with seven immune checkpoint genes. In prognostic analysis, eleven immune microenvironment-related genes exhibited high expression, nine of which were validated in the GSE62232 dataset and were significantly associated with a good prognosis. Our findings suggest that calculating immune score and stromal score could help to determine tumour purity and immune cell infiltration in the tumour microenvironment. Nine immune microenvironment-related genes identified in this study had potential as prognostic markers for HCC.

Mechanisms and Adaptation Strategies to Improve Heat Tolerance in Rice. A Review.

The incidence of short episodes of high temperature in the most productive rice growing region is a severe threat for sustainable rice production. Screening for heat tolerance and breeding to increase the heat tolerance of rice is major objective in the situation of recent climate change. Replacing sensitive genotypes with heat tolerant cultivars, modification in sowing time, and use of growth regulators are some of the adaptive strategies for the mitigation of yield reduction by climate change. Different strategies could be adopted to enhance the thermos-tolerance of rice by (1) the modification of agronomic practices i.e., adjusting sowing time or selecting early morning flowering cultivars; (2) induction of acclimation by using growth regulators and fertilizers; (3) selecting the genetically heat resistant cultivars by breeding; and, (4) developing genetic modification. Understanding the differences among the genotypes could be exploited for the identification of traits that are responsible for thermo-tolerance for breeding purpose. The selection of cultivars that flowers in early morning before the increase of temperature, and having larger anthers with long basal pore, higher basal dehiscence, and pollen viability could induce higher thermo-tolerance. Furthermore, the high expression of heat shock proteins could impart thermo-tolerance by protecting structural proteins and enzymes. Thus, these traits could be considered for breeding programs to develop resistant cultivars under a changing climate.